Former teen worker revives famous Mooloolaba chicken shop

KRISTYN Bedger started working at Mooloolaba Charcoal Chicken as a 14-year-old and when she saw the store closed up 22 years later, decided it was time to reopen memory lane.

The Mooloolaba Chook House, as it became after Charcoal Chicken, closed its doors in April, after about three years under new management.

Ms Bedger, a Mooloolaba local, kept driving past the vacant shop front at 105 Brisbane Road and eventually decided, with her partner Pete Marshall, to get the famous roast chickens rotating on the rotisserie once again.

For the past three months they've been undergoing a complete fit-out of the old Mooloolaba Chook House, with new plumbing, wiring, cold rooms, floors and equipment installed.

The new business, Local Eats 105, opened on Tuesday, to a flood of locals eager to get back to what was an iconic business.

The soft opening went so well more hot chooks have been ordered in ahead of Friday, when the full menu will be launched to the public.

Kristyn Bedger has opened Local Eats in Mooloolaba where the Chook House was located. Kristyn is pictured with Marley Wood, Indy Fewings and Kody Pearson offering great food.Warren Lynam

Ms Bedger said their quarter chicken and chips deal for five dollars had been extremely popular in their first day under the new badge.

A few teething problems aside, Ms Bedger said the opening had gone well.

"I used to work in this shop when I was 14 when it was the old Mooloolaba Charcoal Chicken," she said.

"There was a lot of blood, sweat and tears (in the fit-out)."

She returned in 2009 for another six-year stint at the store.

"This place, it's not just a shop," Ms Bedger said.

"We heard that the shop wasn't doing too well (so we took it over)."

The new-look store will have a smoothie and juice bar operating from Friday and they're also serving up Sunshine Coast Roastery organic, free-trade coffees.

Ms Bedger was prepared for a busy week ahead, as the word spread of the return of an old favourite.